Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions. Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:I don't understand the testing method the Attorney General in NY had done on herbal supplements. Can you explain?The AG had DNA barcoding done on herbal supplements, which is a process of removing the cap and running a series of tests on the powder inside to see what herbs (and other ingredients) are in there. This method is a quick, easy way to get something tested. This form of testing is actually not considered reliable for raw materials and has lots of credibility issues.For example, let's say you're looking at a product that contains boswellia. So, essentially when you're performing a DNA barcode test, you're looking for traces of bosweallia DNA in the powder of the capsule. However, depending on how long this product has been on the shelf, if there are any preservatives in the product, or if there are any contamination issues, it can affect the outcome of the DNA barcode test.What is the best way to know if a supplement is high quality?The first thing you want to do is look into companies that have been around for a long time. On the back of the label, there's a manufacturing label. Don't be afraid to call and ask if they have a certificate of analysis (COA). If they don't answer you, or don't have any idea what that even is, you do not want to be purchasing or using that supplement.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.